Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-12-17
The Gila Valley.
lFrom the Folders.l l

NtW MEXICO ana US waters, aug nlenUe by numerous tributaries in Arizona, flow through the county from east to west. The San Pedro river also adds to the water supply of the eastern portion ot the county.
 Its total area is but 5,210 square miles, and yet it is one of tne richest counties in the Territory. It possesses large and rich tracts of agricultural land, excellent grazing ranges and the most valuable mines discovered in the west.
 Along the San Pedro and the Gila rivers the valley contains the very rich est land in Arizona. Water is abundant in both streams, and when properly util- ized, nearly every acre uf tiliable land can be irrigated
 The county is in q prosperous and healthy condition. It has no indebted ness to speak of, and its tax levy is lower than any otE CT county in the Territory. FLORENCE.
 Florence is the county-seat and the principal town of Pinal county. It Is pleasantly situated in the valley of the Gila, and about half mile from the stream. It is twenty-five miles uorth of Casa Grande station, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, with which it has daily stage connection. The town is embower- ed m groves of shade and fruit trees, and streams of water run through every street. The surrounding valley is under an excellent state of cultivation; fields of waving gram and alfalfa and orchards loaded down with delicious fruit meet ! the eye in every direction. The town has delightful situation, and with its pleasant homes surrounded by trees, skrubbcry and flowers, its pure water ard healthy climate; it is one of the most attractive spots in the Territory. Ho- tels, business houses, a newspal e and all the accessories of hourishing town are pro; psring, al d as an indication of ts raj i'd growth IS cited the fact that new tenement houses are almost invaria bly, rented before the foundations are laid There is no division of opinion upon the question of its destiny as one of the most important and handsomest cities in Ari- zona. It is a natural supply point for an extensive mining region to the north and east, and with abundance of water, and soil of such fruitfulness, it will make rapid strides within the next two years towards metropolitan proportions.
 Its altitude is about 1,500 feet above the sea-level, with a climate during the entire year that excels that of its famous namesake on the Arno.
 IRRIGATING CANALS.
 The farmer in the Gila valley plants hls crops and gathers the harvest with out reference to gathering clouds and weather sigEs, totally indifferent to all meteorological portent. His acres re- ceive the water needed for the growth of the growing crops just at the proper time, and ill the proper quantity, by simply lifting the gate of an irrigating ditch, and letting the water flow over the land Twelve of these canals or ditches are now in use around Florence, covering an area of rich land approximating thirty thous- and acres. By reference to the map giv- en herewith, their course and length may be seen.
 In addition to these the Florence Canal Company's large canal has been com plet- ed for distance of fifteen miles from it's headgate, and the water now flows through it to point several miles south of Florence. The canal is to be at once extended in southerly direction thirty miles further, having sufficient capacity to irrigate 140 .0)0 c 'es of llnd. It is twenty live feet wide on the bottom, and twice that width on top. During the past half year over 10000 acres of Gov ernment land along this canal has been filed upon by intending settlers.
 Another company has been recently formed for the pIrpose of constructing huge storage reservoirs in connection with irrigating canals that will add over l fifty thousand acres of land to the area irrigated. Nearly every acre under th,s canal can be entered at the Government price.
 WHAT WILL GROW.
 Almost every product of the temperate zone will flourish in the Gila valley, while all the semi-tropical productions fol which Southern California has become famous attain even greater degree o perfection in the Gila Valley. The or ange, lemon and lime ripen fully montl earlier In the season than those of Cal ifornia, and no unsightlY blemish of tho scale bug disfgures the golden fruit Grapes, for wire or raisin making, ar, especially adapted to the soil and climate and superior quality of both are pro duced. Two crops of grapes are alway produced in single season, and some times three crops grow and mature. Tn warm, dry atmosphere cures the raisin1 perfectly and develops their saccharin qualities in a greater degree than by an, artificial process. Alfalfa yields iron four to eight crops per year, and vii average one and one-half to two tons 0 hay per acre at each cutting, readil worth $10 per ton in home market All kinds of vegetables and fruits ar cultivated with pronounced success, an always at an immense profit.
 THE MARKET.
 The proximity of Florence to tn great mining region about the famor Silver King to the north, and also to tn eastward, affords good home market fC all the products of the soil, and at aC ) vantageous prices. Beyond this loc } demand all the mining camps within P ' nal County and beyond it's limits are COT sumers that now largely export fro
 California.
 CLIMATE.
 There can be no more perfect climat : under the sun than that of Central Ar l zona, and particularly that of the Gi Valley at Florence. Cloudy days a = seldom know ID and the bright suushil